Free Fool Me Once by Sandra Lee Page B

happens, I had no choice in the matter, not had I? My foggy mind just realized you hadn’t driven to my house, which could only mean you were stupid enough to walk across town in the middle of the night. I didn’t see you stop in my living room to call a taxi. Against my better judgment, I decided to walk you home safe.”
    “Oh sure, now you worry about my well-being. Thank you, but I can manage just fine.” she answered, too proud to admit that she had been out of her mind with fright just a minute earlier. Although, now that she thought about it, better to face any criminals, then Jake. She would have better chances to come out of the encounter unhurt.
    “Don’t thank me, I am not doing it for you, I am doing it for me. I don’t want to be held responsible if something happens to you. So you see, this is entirely selfish. Don’t go on thinking I care what happens; as long as it happens and I can’t suffer any guilt from it, I don’t give a damn. Walk in dark alleys, get yourself killed or raped all you want, and like everyone else, I shall say what a shame, but will go on the next day as if nothing had ever happened.”
    Speechless, she gasped at his harsh words. She shouldn’t have been surprised, that’s the kind of things she should expect from him. His words were still painful though. Frustrated and hurt, she lengthened her stride, trying to distance herself from the insufferable man that seemed set on following her.
    “Don’t you worry yourself about me Jake, at the corner store over there, I will call a cab, and save you the trouble of worrying about your peace of mind.” She said through clenched teeth.
    “Nah, you see, I rather not take the chance. I just watched the movie “The bone collector”, and well with my luck, you’d end up steamed. Plus, walking will do me good, I need to sober up.”
    The walk back was silent, neither of them willing to say anything, ignoring each other, yet being very aware of the every step taken by the other. Eva could sense Jake more then she could see him, but it was as unsettling if not more.
     
     
    “Well, here I am. This is where I live. Thank you, I guess.”
    “Mmm yes, ok... so…err how do I get back to my place?”
    “Damn Jake, couldn’t you pay attention?” Eva asked exasperated.
    “Honey, nor you or me could pay attention on that long walk back here. I’m afraid we were a bit too aware of each other, of what almost happened. I’m not saying, I’m happy about the fact I was thinking about it, nor am I saying I wanted to think about it. All I’m saying is that right now, I am too weak to fight it. So please, just tell me how to get home.” He sounded so weary. Eva felt her hatred and anger at him diminish. She couldn’t let him walk all the way back home, he would probably pass out somewhere on the way. She tried to rationalize, saying to herself that the reason why she was going to offer her couch to him was because that despite his harsh and cruel attitude and his obvious disdain of her, he still had walked her back and ensured she was safe. She should return the favor. She figured she owed him a place to sleep for the rest of the night.
    “You can have my couch for tonight.” She said matter of factly.
    “I won’t say no” was Jake’s only response to the offer.
     
    The short hours remaining till sunrise seemed endless. Eva kept tossing and turning, replaying the entire night in her head. She could still feel his hands on her…his lips on hers, on her body. She punched her pillow frustrated. Not only was she completely awake, but also to add insult to injury, she could hear Jake’s snoring. He had passed out right away on the sofa, as if he had no problems with the world, as if nothing had affected him. Once again, her pillow took the blunt of her frustration. Why? Why did she always seem to screw up when it came to him? Realizing what she had just thought, she laughed humorlessly. Once again, she was putting the blame on her,